Sustainability Program Manager

Thornton is excited to invite a proven sustainability professional to join the city as its first Sustainability Program Manager. In this pivotal role, you will implement the Thorntons newly adopted Environmental Sustainability Master Plan, lead the citys decarbonization and climate initiatives, and collaborate across departments where talented staff create meaningful, forward-thinking solutions for a more sustainable future. If you are driven to deliver results, champion innovation, and make a lasting impact, we would love to have you on the team to help create a more sustainable future for the city.

Job Summary
Under direction, leads the Citys sustainability and climate initiatives with an emphasis on developing and implementing building decarbonization policies and programs. Leads collaboration across departments, including Planning, Building, Parks and Open Space, Infrastructure, and other divisions, to advance organizational and community-wide sustainability goals. Supports City Council, represents the City in regional collaborations on energy, water, and climate issues, and leads implementation of the Environmental Sustainability Master Plan and other key sustainability initiatives. (Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.)
Leads the development and implementation of the Citys building decarbonization initiatives, including design and management of programs such as building benchmarking or Building Performance Standards (BPS), support of updates to energy codes, and coordination of strategies that reduce emissions from new and existing buildings.
Evaluates best practices, analyzes policy and regulatory options, and works closely with Planning, Building, and other divisions to support staff, residents, and developers, enhance compliance pathways, and strengthen the Citys internal capacity to identify and meet long-term decarbonization goals.
Oversees the advancement of citywide sustainability initiatives aligned with the Environmental Sustainability Master Plan, including support of zero waste programs, climate mitigation and adaptation planning, sustainable land use and development code updates, sustainable transportation strategies, and green economic development initiatives.
Provides technical expertise to departments, advises on policy and operational changes, and integrates sustainability and climate resilience considerations into long-range plans, strategic planning processes, and capital investment decisions.
Develops and maintains systems for data collection, analysis, and reporting that measure progress toward sustainability, climate, and decarbonization goals. Prepares staff reports, briefing materials, and presentations, and communicates complex information to City Council, Planning Commission, senior leadership, and community stakeholders to support informed decision-making and continuous improvement of sustainability programs.
Leads community and stakeholder engagement efforts to support implementation of sustainability and decarbonization initiatives, including design and delivery of educational materials, workshops, and outreach strategies tailored to residents, businesses, developers, and building owners. Represents the City in regional and statewide collaborations, coordinates with partner agencies to advance shared climate and energy goals and ensures that programs reflect community needs and best practices.
Manages the pursuit, administration, and reporting of grant funding related to building decarbonization and broader sustainability initiatives, including development of competitive grant applications, oversight of grant-funded projects, and maintenance of required documentation. Tracks performance metrics, monitors expenditures, and evaluates return on investment to ensure alignment with program objectives and responsible stewardship of external funding sources.
Collaborates with departments across the organization to support sustainability-related operations, policies, and capital projects, including implementation of initiatives such as electric vehicle charging infrastructure, solar installations, facility energy improvements, and other projects that enhance environmental performance.
Assists with preparation of program budgets, serves as a subject matter expert on relevant sustainability regulations and standards, and performs related duties to advance the Citys climate, energy, and sustainability objectives.
Performs other duties as assigned. Education and Experience: Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in environmental sciences, public policy/administration, planning or related field with coursework in environmental management, climate change, energy efficiency, renewable resources, contract and project management and sustainability principles. Five years of progressively responsible experience in sustainability, resiliency, environmental programming, or a related field or any combination of relevant work experience. Experience working with local government agencies preferred. Masters degree preferred. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
Licensing/Certification Requirements:
Certification in LEED, CEM, CC-P, BPI, REP, GPRO, or other sustainability-related certification preferred.

May need the ability to travel to various locations in a timely manner as the job requires.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of sustainability and climate action principles, programs, and best practices, particularly related to building decarbonization and energy efficiency.
Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies related to climate, energy, buildings, waste, and environmental compliance.
Knowledge of methods and techniques of data collection, research, analysis, and reporting.
Knowledge of local government operations, public policy development, and intergovernmental processes.
Knowledge of project and program management practices, including grant management and budgeting.
Skill in managing, planning, and implementing complex sustainability and decarbonization projects.
Skill in developing and evaluating policies, strategies, and programs.
Skill in analyzing technical information, identifying solutions, and projecting consequences of policy or operational changes.
Skill in facilitating collaboration across departments and with external partners.
Skill in communicating technical concepts clearly to non-technical audiences.
Skill in using data systems, spreadsheets, and analytical tools to track and evaluate metrics.
Ability to lead multidisciplinary projects and coordinate across diverse teams.
Ability to engage effectively with residents, businesses, developers, and policymakers.
Ability to prepare and present clear, concise, and compelling reports and presentations.
Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships within the organization and with external stakeholders.
Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment in decision-making.
Ability to interpret and apply complex regulatory and technical information.
Ability to develop and manage budgets, grants, and project resources.
Ability to represent the City in regional forums and negotiations.

Physical/Mental Requirements: While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, finger, grasp, talk, hear, and make repetitive motions. This position is mostly sedentary work; exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or negligible amount of force requesting or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. The employee is required to have close visual acuity. Examinations may include but are not limited to application screening beyond minimum qualifications; written, oral, practical exercise or any combination thereof or other job related assessment deemed appropriate by Human Resources.

Your application will be used as a screening tool. Completeness and accuracy are important! Any false or untrue statements or material omissions in the application and related paperwork or during the selection process could disqualify you from consideration.

As a condition of employment, the City of Thornton conducts background investigations for all positions which may also include a review of credit report and/or driving record. A drug screen, physical, and/or psychological examination administered by a city-designated provider will be required for pre-determined positions.